IB Spot Blog

Rugby Union’s Bledisloe Cup is contested by Australia’s Wallabies and New Zealand’s All Blacks. This famous and large silver trophy cup was designed in New Zealand by Nelson Isaac, and crafted by Walker and Hall in London. It is the largest trophy in world rugby and was first contested in 1931 when the then Governor-General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, presented the Cup as a perpetual Rugby trophy and a reward between Australia and New Zealand.

History

From 1931 to 1981 Bledisloe Cup was contested irregularly in the course of rugby tours between the two countries. New Zealand won it 19 times and Australia 4 times in this period including in 1949 when Australia won it for the first time on New Zealand soil. In the years 1982 to 1995 it was contested annually and during these years New Zealand won it 11 times and Australia 3 times.

From 1996 the cup has been contested as part of the annual Tri Nations tournament. All black won this match in 1996 and 1997, and The Wallabies regained the Bledisloe Cup in 1998 , and retained it again in 1999. The 1999 Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney provided a world record Rugby crowd of 107,046 at ANZ Stadium.

Australia went on to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the next three years until 2003 when a very classy All Blacks team won back this cup in convincing fashion and since then New Zealand keep retain this silver trophy till now.

Series Wins: New Zealand 38, Australia 12

Imperial Trophy Sydney - Fine Sport Trophy for Rugby